Case Study: Whatcom County Streamlines

Single Family Home Permit Process

Using Lean To Improve Permit Processes

By: Washington State Performance Center

Summary by:

Whatcom County Single Family Home Permits

• Old permit review process could take up to 2 months

• a lot of time spent searching for missing information on initial application

• New permit review process streamlined in 5 days with Lean workshop

• county developed checklists for applicants to review in advance

The New Residential Permit Process

1. Applicant submits a project description, including size & location

2. County staff screen the project & determine if any natural resource reviews will need to take place before the application process

3. Applicant completes the application using the new checklist & schedules an appointment to submit the application

4. At the appointment, County staff will review and either:

1. Approve application on the spot

2. Accept applications that require more analysis, or

3. Identify that the application is incomplete and needs more

• Process originally designed for single family homes

• County will now use process for other projects

• Applicants can review the County’s checklists online

Results After 60 Days…

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